How Adam and Jamie Rowed the Atlantic to Support Dementia Adventure
What would make two friends with no rowing experience decide to cross the Atlantic Ocean?
For Adam and Jamie, it started with a simple idea, a sense of adventure, and a willingness to try something that felt almost impossible.
What followed was one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges: an unsupported 3,000-mile row from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean.
And throughout every mile, they were raising money for Dementia Adventure.
Inspired by Family
For Adam, supporting Dementia Adventure was personal from the very beginning.
“My granddad had dementia,” he explains. “He basically went on your dementia holidays. It was really important for the family. It was a massive thing.”
Seeing the impact those experiences had on his grandparents stayed with him, particularly the support they gave his grandmother, Jean, as a carer.
“I think it really actually helped my gran actually,” Adam says. “I think that’s something that is quite overlooked, is the people caring for people.”
Jean has since gone on to volunteer with Dementia Adventure herself, making the connection even more meaningful.
“It was just like an obvious non-negotiable fit really,” Adam says. “It was just always gonna happen.”
From Childhood Dream to Atlantic Crossing
Neither Adam nor Jamie were experienced rowers.
“We both actually don’t have that crazy of a background in adventures,” Adam says. “I’ve run marathons, ultras and a few bits and bobs like that. But we just kind of did it on a whim really, because we thought it’d be fun.”
The challenge itself was enormous: rowing 3,000 miles across open ocean in a seven-metre boat with no support crew.
“It is completely unsupported,” Adam explains. “Once you leave La Gomera, you can’t really do a U-turn and row back.”
The scale of the challenge became very real once they were at sea.
“I got to halfway and I was like, ‘I’ve got the exact same distance to do again,’” he recalls.
Preparing for Life at Sea
Although the row demanded huge physical endurance, Adam believes much of their success came from preparing mentally.
Before departure, the pair spent six months working with a sports psychologist.
“One of our biggest worries going across was that we were going to fall out. You hear horror stories of people falling out.”
Together, they worked through difficult scenarios, communication strategies and how they would respond under pressure.
That preparation paid off.
“Me and Jamie didn’t have a single argument or dispute once on the row.”
The reality of life at sea was still incredibly tough.
For the first ten days, Adam struggled to eat.
“My stomach just wouldn’t accept any food for the first 10 days. I was only drinking maltodextrin powder and water and squirting honey into my mouth.”
Exhaustion, sleep deprivation and constant rowing became part of daily life.
“You’re hungry, tired… it’s a melting pot for having a short fuse,” Adam says.
Moments of Danger
The Atlantic crossing also brought moments of genuine danger.
Near the end of the challenge, a marlin struck the boat while Jamie was inside the cabin.
“If the boat hadn’t had a locker behind it, it would have actually killed him,” Adam says.
Despite the challenges, the pair continued sharing daily updates from the middle of the ocean.
“We’re one of the few teams that have done all the media ourselves,” Adam says.
Turning Adventure Into Impact
As their journey unfolded online, more and more people began following the challenge.
Daily videos and updates helped supporters feel part of the experience, while donations steadily grew throughout the crossing.
One video in particular – following the marlin strike – reached hundreds of thousands of people online.
“That video got 500K views,” Adam says. “It just blew it up completely.”
By the end of the challenge, the campaign had raised tens of thousands of pounds.
For Adam, though, the fundraising was always about helping other families.
“I just want it to support people and help other people have support.”
He believes the connection Dementia Adventure creates for carers is especially important.
“The big thing is the respite that the carer gets,” he says, “and also the connection – they meet other people in their situation.”
Looking Ahead
Although Adam says he’ll need “a good three or four years” before considering another major expedition, he’s already thinking about future challenges – including potentially running the London Marathon barefoot.
Looking back on the Atlantic row, one lesson stands out above all else.
“You just have to believe that it’s going to happen,” Adam says. “Because if you don’t believe it, no one else will believe it.”
And thanks to that belief, more people living with dementia – and the people caring for them – will be able to access connection, adventure and support through Dementia Adventure.
Feeling inspired?
Whether it’s a marathon, a sponsored walk, a skydive or your own unique adventure, taking on a challenge for Dementia Adventure is a fantastic way to support people living with dementia and their carers.
Find out more about fundraising for Dementia Adventure or get in touch with our team to discuss your idea.
